Windows 11 is usually great at keeping your PC updated, secure, and optimized. But let’s be real — every once in a while, Microsoft rolls out an update or driver that breaks something on your system. Maybe a cumulative update causes performance issues, or a buggy driver crashes your apps. And when that happens, you want to stop that one specific update from reinstalling again and again.
Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t give you a built-in GUI option to hide updates anymore. But the good news? You can still hide updates — either using Microsoft’s hidden troubleshooter or PowerShell. And if you’re reading this guide, you’re likely looking for the most reliable, modern, and scriptable way to block unwanted updates on Windows 11.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through all the methods to hide and unhide Windows updates using PowerShell, along with a backup GUI method for those who prefer clicks over commands. Let’s get started!
Why Would You Want to Hide Updates?
There are plenty of valid reasons to block specific updates:
- A cumulative update breaks your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- A GPU driver causes performance or display issues
- A sound driver update disables audio
- An OEM driver keeps reinstalling the wrong version
- A Windows update conflicts with certain apps
- You want to temporarily delay a faulty update
Instead of blocking all updates, the smarter approach is to hide just the problematic one until Microsoft releases a fix.
Method 1: Hide Windows Updates Using Microsoft’s Troubleshooter Tool (GUI Method)
Before diving into PowerShell, let’s look at the simplest non-technical method: the “Show or Hide Updates” troubleshooter. Microsoft doesn’t advertise it anymore, but it still works on Windows 11.
- Download the Show or Hide Updates troubleshooter (
wushowhide.diagcab). - Run the tool and wait for it to scan for updates.
- Click Hide updates.
- Select the update or driver you want to block.
- Click Next and finish the wizard.
- Restart your PC.
Windows will now skip the selected update during future scans.
But the tool isn’t available everywhere and can be removed by enterprise policies — which is why the PowerShell method is the preferred solution.
Method 2: Hide Windows Updates Using PowerShell (Advanced & Recommended)
Windows PowerShell allows you to manage Windows Update using a community-trusted module called PSWindowsUpdate. It’s extremely powerful and gives you full control over installing, hiding, searching, or removing updates.
Let’s walk through the process step by step.
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
- Press Start.
- Search PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
- Right-click and select Run as administrator.
You must run it with admin rights for update management commands to work.
Step 2: Install the PSWindowsUpdate Module
If you haven’t used it before, install the module using:
Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate -Scope AllUsers -Force
Import-Module PSWindowsUpdate
If your system blocks modules from the PowerShell Gallery, adjust the repository policy using:
Set-PSRepository -Name "PSGallery" -InstallationPolicy Trusted
Step 3: List Available Updates
Before hiding an update, you need to know what’s available.
Run:
Get-WUList
or the alternate command:
Get-WindowsUpdate -List
You’ll see a list of updates, including:
- KB numbers
- Titles
- Drivers
- Update IDs
- Revision numbers
Take note of the update you want to hide.
Step 4: Hide a Windows Update
Now you can hide an update by its KB number, Title, or Update ID.
Option A: Hide an update by KB number
This is the most accurate method for cumulative updates.
Hide-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB5006670" -HideStatus:$true -Confirm:$false
Option B: Hide a driver update by title
Drivers often don’t have KB numbers.
Hide-WUUpdate -Title "Intel Corporation - Display - 31.0.101.5388" -HideStatus:$true -Confirm:$false
Copy the exact title from the output of Get-WUList.
Option C: Hide an update by UpdateID
For precise control:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -UpdateID "c041dea5-4de8-43af-8772-f91fe222e8c9" -RevisionNumber 1 -Confirm:$false
Step 5: Verify That the Update Is Hidden
After hiding an update, confirm it with:
Get-WindowsUpdate -IsHidden
or:
Get-WUList | Where-Object {$_.IsHidden -eq $true}
If the update appears in this list, Windows will no longer attempt to install it.
How to Unhide Windows Updates Later
Once Microsoft releases a patched version, you need to unhide the update.
Unhide by KB:
Hide-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB5006670" -HideStatus:$false -Confirm:$false
Unhide driver or other updates:
Unhide-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID "KB5006670" -Confirm:$false
Then simply check updates again:
Get-WindowsUpdate
When Should You NOT Hide Updates?
While hiding updates is useful, use it carefully. Avoid hiding:
- Security patches
- Critical vulnerability fixes
- Updates related to Windows Defender / Security Intelligence
- Monthly Patch Tuesday updates (unless they’re known to be broken)
If you do hide a security-related update, make sure you revisit it and install it once a fix is available.
Troubleshooting PowerShell Update Hiding
1. Cmdlet Not Found?
Check installed commands:
Get-Command -Module PSWindowsUpdate
2. Update Doesn’t Hide?
Make sure:
- You spelled the KB or Title exactly
- The update is still available
- You’re running PowerShell as Admin
3. Enterprise PC?
If you’re on a managed corporate device, policies like WSUS or Intune may override PowerShell controls.
Advanced Tip: Create a Script to Automate the Process
If you frequently hide certain driver updates (like GPU or network drivers), create a script like:
Import-Module PSWindowsUpdate
$updatesToHide = @(
"KB5006670",
"Intel Corporation - Display - 31.0.101.5388"
)
foreach ($update in $updatesToHide) {
Hide-WindowsUpdate -Title $update -HideStatus:$true -Confirm:$false
}
This gives you one-click control for your unwanted updates.
Wrapping Up
Hiding Windows updates in Windows 11 can save you from headaches caused by buggy patches or unstable driver updates. While Microsoft doesn’t offer a built-in GUI for this anymore, PowerShell gives you full control — letting you list, hide, unhide, and manage updates with precision.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a bad update or preventing Windows from automatically installing the wrong driver, these methods will help you keep your system stable and predictable.
